With the 44-year-old original UFC champion publicly campaigning for a slot at this August’s planned “UFC: Rio” event, a handful of other MMA pioneers are ready to answer his call.

The infamously one-gloved boxer Art Jimmerson (0-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) was first to call out than man who beat him at UFC 1, and now UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn (98-16-7 MMA, 9-3 UFC) wants a rematch, as well.

Jimmerson was the first to stake his claim. The former professional boxer will be 48 years old by the time the UFC hits Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena on Aug. 27, but that isn’t stopping the UFC Gym employee from laying down the challenge.

“I will definitely be more aggressive,” Jimmerson recently told U.K.-based outlet Full Mount MMA. “I will throw more punches and fight my fight.

“Royce will not dictate this one. I will not allow him to take me to the ground.”

Jimmerson was taken to the mat early in his UFC 1 meeting with Gracie, and he tapped after simply being mounted by the Brazilian. However, after finishing his pro boxing career in 2002 at 33-18, Jimmerson has since taken to learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Meanwhile, “The Beast” is also looking for redemption against the man that beat him in the finals of UFC 4’s eight-man tournament. Just three fights into his MMA career that night (all three of which took place in the tourney), Severn has remained incredibly active since.

Now 52 years old, Severn has fought a minimum of three times each year since that 1994 meeting and has an astounding 121 documented fights on his professional record. While it’s been some time since Severn has faced the world’s best fighters, he does currently carry a nine-fight win streak.

Severn currently has two additional fights lined up and could enter “UFC: Rio” with 100 wins to his credit. A fight with Gracie, his camp says, could be a fitting farewell to a legendary career.

Of course, things have changed slightly since 1994, and Severn’s heavyweight frame might find a catchweight fight with the 175-pound Gracie difficult to reach. It’s not stopping the Michigan native from laying down the challenge.

“Since the hint of a UFC event in Brazil hit the online rumor mill, Dan Severn has been passionate about his intentions to take part in this event as his finale match to his fans and the MMA community,” a statement from Severn’s camp read. “Dan has said on numerous occasions that if he had the opportunity to have such a match in Brazil, he would want it to be with Royce Gracie.

“In light of Royce publicly announcing his intent to take part in a UFC event in Brazil, Dan Severn is, officially, throwing out the challenge to Royce Gracie. Wanting to take it to the cage, one last time, in an all-out ground war – two legends of the octagon can thrill and amaze the UFC audience of yesterday and today, one last time.”

For the latest on the UFC 134 card, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

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